O'DOWD: Health initiative taking shape

Program combats obesity, promotes nutrition and fitness

5:25 PM,
Oct. 27, 2011

Written by

Mary O?Dowd

Obesity rates have climbed dramatically in New Jersey and nationally. In New Jersey alone, the percentage of residents who are obese was 24 percent in 2010, which has risen from 14 percent in 1995. This rise in obesity is harming the health of residents, as obesity is a contributing cause of other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Our children also are at risk. Childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. New Jersey has the nation's highest incidence of obesity (18.4 percent) among low-income children 2 to 5 years old. If current trends ...